Some days I simply don’t feel like it. You know about those days too, I hope…the days you don’t feel like:
- sweeping up breakfast crumbs
- changing out all the sheets
- disciplining my children
- apologizing for my tone
- living within a budget
- eating healthy
- exercising
- reading my Bible
- speaking kindly
- praising my God in the midst of trials
Do you ever feel like your feelings rule you, instead of the other way around?
Our sweet surprise of a sixth child has added to some extra feelings, as well. It’s amazing how much I can be affected by feelings of what I do or don’t want to eat, how much energy I don’t have, how bloated I feel, what clothes don’t fit, and how anxious I feel about doing it all over again. Between the feelings of nausea, exhaustion, and a bit of fear, I have already known days, early in this pregnancy, where my feelings overtook what I know to be true: That God is faithful. That God is sovereign. That God is bigger than my feelings.
You may be in a season where you know very well the feeling of being overwhelmed, discouraged, weary, and unmotivated. Perhaps it’s physical, maybe it’s emotional…it’s always spiritual.
God does this funny thing where he allows us to feel weakness and strife, so that he can show himself to be mighty and faithful:
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
There is purpose for those feelings…they are meant to lead us to the one who is a Strong Tower.
How might we combat, then, the deluge of feelings that can threaten our awareness of his strength and sufficiency? The Psalmist gives us a good idea:
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5
In other words, talk to you soul! Tell your soul, “Soul, bless the Lord, and forget not his benefits!” Remind your heart who is in charge, and why the Lord is trustworthy. Instruct your soul once again in the promises of the Lord, in his lovingkindness, and in the good that he generously gives over and over, even when we don’t feel it.
So, this is my prayer for myself–that I might preach to my heart, and tell it what is true. Feelings come and feelings go, as do circumstances. The Lord never changes and his mercies are never-ending. I want to be anchored to that this day.
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Thank you for this! I needed this today, and God knew that…he sent me here and in it, in your words I heard His voice encouraging me.
As I was driving to work today, I heard Matt Redman’s song 10000 Reasons Bless the Lord Oh My Soul, and then I read it just now in your post- when things like this happen, I know it’s a message of love to me from God.
Again, thank you for your words of encouragement and faith.
-Claudia
Wow, Claudia! God is clearly speaking into your life…praise God he pursues us so!
Well said, Ruth! What a GREAT reminder that we need to be “anchored” to God’s promises and His plans for us are even better than our own desires for ourselves. Thank you for sharing your heart! You are not alone in those feelings! God bless and Congratulations on #6!
Thank you, Denise! Sometimes I marvel at how much I cave in to my feelings–much like my own children…you know what I mean? I’m so thankful that he proves himself to be a true anchor, and that we can indeed trust him!
This was convicting for me. Honestly, am I “content with weakness…”.. I hate to say it, but no. This year has been so, so hard, Ruth, but instead of preaching to my soul I have often said “it’s just too much, it’s just too hard, I can’t do this.” By Gods grace I feel that this season is coming to an end but it has also shown me how lacking in character and maturity I truly am (am I really admitting this in blog land?!). I think it’s time I commit some of these scriptures to memory and being preachin’ to myself! Thank you for this, Ruth! Love you!
Oh, Suz! You are so brave to share so honestly. I have known so many season, so many years, when I focused more on the “can’t” and “this is too hard.” I think you are so right, that those seasons absolutely reveal what it is that is sustaining us. I so often come up short in filling my mind with truth. Praise God that he does not condemn but woos us to himself. He draws us with his lovingkindness, and we find ourselves overwhelmed again by his splendor…and not by our feelings. Love u!
I had a moment this past Saturday where I felt like such a failure to my kids, thankfully Sunday morning Jesus reminded me so clearly that HE is my strong tower and it’s ok that I can’t do it alone. THANK-YOU for being His tool to impress this message a little deeper into my spirit. In our weakness He is strong; yes and Amen!
”You may be in a season where you know very well the feeling of being overwhelmed, discouraged, weary, and unmotivated. Perhaps it’s physical, maybe it’s emotional…it’s always spiritual.”
How it is true! As you know,you have described the season in which I am living in this very moment….
But, like you, i have understood that feelings come and feelings go… but God is always here with us….
It is neccesary only to have faith and patience…. to count until 10 and wait…..
Cheers
Maddalena
Beautifully expressed. Thank you.
~Catherine
I realize I am commenting very belatedly but I just found this post, and wanted to add another thank you. I also have a hard time not letting my feelings rule me, and until recently that felt very natural, like that was the way it was supposed to be. To do what was right when my heart wasn’t in it always felt wooden, empty, etc. But recently it seems to me the Lord has been helping me sense that there can be a very deep…grace (?) in dwelling in obedience, even when you don’t want to do it…that instead of my old view that this was somehow less natural and expressive of oneself, instead there is great beauty and depth in teaching our hearts what to do and firmly (but not unkindly) making our hearts obey. So He is teaching me something very new for me. Thank you for the lovely reminder via your blog post. I like your phrase, “telling my soul what to do”–that just seems to capture it perfectly. Blessings.
I love the way you put that, Karla….it’s true: by grace, we can become what we are not naturally inclined to be. Our love for obedience grows as we take a step by faith in obedience. I’m so blessed by your comment, Karla, and am grateful to hear of how the Lord’s forming your heart in these things!